Input and output
Be able to give examples of what goes into a computer and what comes out.
Prerequisites
- AWhat is a computer?required
Everyday explanation
Everything that goes in to a computer is called input. Everything that comes out is called output.
| Machine | Input | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Calculator | you type in 2 + 3 | 5 is displayed in the cell |
| Camera | light through the lens | an image file |
| Voice assistant | your voice | an answer from the speaker |
| Banking app | you enter the amount and recipient | a confirmation on the screen |
An AI is also a machine with input and output: an image goes in — the word “cat” comes out.
Interactive
Example: Imagine a colleague who is a machine. You set the rule, for example “say the number plus two”. You say 3 (input), the colleague answers 5 (output). Can you guess the rule just by looking at the input and output?
That is exactly what a computer that learns does: it sees lots of input and output and tries to find the rule.
Mastery means
- Give examples of input and output for three different machines
- Distinguish between what goes in and what comes out
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Sources
- CS Unplugged (CC BY-SA 4.0) — CC BY-SA 4.0